Marcos wants more study on PUV modernization 鈥� Palace
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants a further study on the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) to alleviate the burden it will bring to jeepney drivers and operators. Screengrab from RTVM/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants a further study on the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) to alleviate the burden it will bring to jeepney drivers and operators.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the pronouncement after Transport Secretary Vince Dizon recently declared that the PTMP is “not viable in its present state.”
READ: PUV modernization not ‘viable’ but to continue
“Noong binanggit po ito ni Secretary Dizon kay Pangulo, positibo naman po ang response ng ating Pangulo at ayaw naman din po niyang pahirapan ang mga operators at mga jeepney drivers natin kung ipu-push po ito tapos parang pilit,” said Castro.
(When Secretary Dizon brought this up to the President, the President responded positively. He also doesn’t want to make things difficult for our operators and jeepney drivers, especially if the implementation is forced.)
“So, dapat po talagang aralin para po lahat po naman ay maging maayos ang takbo at pag-implement po ng programa na ito,” she added.
(So, this really needs to be carefully studied to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the implementation of the program is carried out properly for everyone involved.)
According to Castro, Dizon, during a meeting with Marcos, raised several issues concerning the present state of the PTMP, noting that drivers and operators must first be prepared on how to manage and operate cooperatives.
Dizon also reportedly raised the need for more suppliers and manufacturers who will be able to sell the required vehicles to drivers and operators at a lower rate.
Castro said Dizon and Marcos also talked about the issue of providing loans, specifically on making sure drivers and operators will be able to shoulder the interest upon taking up a loan.
However, Castro reminded that the PTMP will still push through.
“Marami pong issues na naibigay po at nailahad si Secretary Dizon sa ating Pangulo at iyan po naman ay pinakinggan ng ating Pangulo,” said Castro.
(Secretary Dizon presented and raised many issues to the President, and the President listened to all of them attentively.)
“So, sa ngayon po, Ihahanda po muna lahat pero tandaan po natin, tuloy pa rin po ang PUV Modernization Program – Ihahanda lang po natin lahat ang mga stakeholders po dito,” she added.
(So for now, everything will be prepared first, but let’s remember that the PUV Modernization Program will continue — we just need to get all the stakeholders ready.)
